How do you plan to prove that a user is at least 13 without collecting ID or having a third party do it? The ICO press release says that self-declaration is inadequate here, and the other methods they recommend in their age assurance document cannot ensure anonymity.

> How do you plan to prove that a user is at least 13 without collecting ID or having a third party do it

"you can verify your age on Facebook by taking a video selfie" https://www.facebook.com/help/958848942357089

> The ICO press release says that self-declaration is inadequate here,

I agree.

> and the other methods they recommend in their age assurance document cannot ensure anonymity.

Hang on though. What I was challenging was your claim UK is pushing identity verification. That's different.

In the age of facial recognition, a “video selfie” is easily translated into an identity. And besides, websites should not be collecting “video selfies” of children, for any reason.

But not translated into indentity verification.

And there's no suggestion age verification websites are collecting video selfies of children.

Here’s how this is going to work, in reality:

- 13 year old does video selfie

- 13 year old is flagged as too young, might be growing slower than their peers

- 13 year old has to upload an ID to prove they are of age

- Identity provider claims they delete the ID but oops they don’t actually do that and there’s a data breach

Yes, could happen. And to adults too. The social media site might choose to avoid this by stopping at #2. Leading to complaints from 14-yr-olds denied their right to social media.